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Improving service delivery through partnerships between local government, civil society and the private sector : a case study of Imizamo Yethu

Matibane, Luvuyo P. (2010-12)

Thesis (MA (Public and Development Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Developmental local government places emphasis on the importance of partnerships between local government and various stakeholders such as community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations and private sector organisations delivering services to communities. The focus of this thesis is on a service delivery improvement plan for Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, Cape Town, a poor Black informal settlement alongside a well-established and affluent White suburb. There is severe lack of service delivery in that community and the study has sought to suggest a solution that would address the appalling situation in which the people of Imizamo Yethu live. It seeks to respond to the question: How can partnerships between civil society organisations, local government and the private sector improve service delivery in Imizamo Yethu? The main research objectives were to determine how local government, business and civil society organisations can deliver services; to establish whether there were any partnerships between local government, civil society and the private sector in Imizamo Yethu; to describe the activities of role players in Imizamo Yethu; to identify areas that require partnership between these role players; to generate information for future research that will enable the community of Imizamo Yethu to address their problems; and to make recommendations on how service provision could be improved by establishing partnerships between local government, civil society and the private sector.
Service provision is a complex exercise that needs different skills and strategies. Local government alone cannot win the battle of service delivery. What is needed is the collaboration of different role players using their different and unique capabilities. Partnerships between local government, civil society organisations and the private sector can be an effective alternative model of service provision. The study therefore focuses on improving partnerships between local government, civil society and business in Imizamo Yethu.
While many civil society organisations, business organisations and local government departments are involved in service delivery and development in Imizamo Yethu, these organisations operate in isolation from each other. This makes it virtually impossible for them to make a dent in service delivery challenges.
Through partnerships, local government, civil society and the private sector could wszssork together to mitigate the situation in the particular community. Forums by means of which local government, civil society organisations and business can work together should therefore be formed. Such forums could assist in terms of devising a strategy to provide services, and disseminate information.
The study examines the level of service delivery and partnerships in Imizamo Yethu. It was found that there is both lack of service delivery and lack of partnership between the local government, which is the City of Cape Town, civil society and the private sector.
It is recommended that community service delivery be established, with dissemination of information by the City of Cape Town by means of a communication strategy aimed at informing the community about such service delivery.